1987] 
Carpenter — Eumenine genus Zeta 
257 
Finally, as mentioned above the initial couplet as written fails to 
separate the subspecies into two distinct groups, but can a distinc- 
tion be made? Specimens supposed to key to the first alternative are 
typically darker than those supposed to key to the second alterna- 
tive: the metasomal terga are usually black or brown in the first 
group and light reddish in the second; the yellow markings are 
usually much more extensive in the latter. The darker form is dis- 
tributed from the Guianas south to Argentina, primarily east of the 
Cordillera, whereas the lighter form is distributed along the Cordil- 
lera north to Central America. But these forms overlap in north- 
western Argentina (cf. Giordani Soika, 1975), Paraguay (MCZ 
specimens from Mborero and Molino-cue), Peru, Colombia (an 
MCZ specimen of “typical argillaceum ” is from Meta: Carimagua) 
and Venezuela (MCZ and USNM specimens). Nor are they always 
distinct in color. Variation in the extent of yellow was already dis- 
cussed, and the darkness of the metasoma is also uncorrelated with 
distribution. For example, specimens of distinguendum I have 
examined have the metasoma as black as dark specimens of orbig- 
nii, while pale specimens of the latter have the metasoma light red- 
dish. So even just these two groups cannot really be diagnosed. 
Recognition of subspecies is in my view a poor way of dealing with 
color variation in vespids anyway, but in this species it is untenable. 
Zeta confusum (Bequaert & Salt) 
Eumenes confusus Bequaert & Salt, 1931: 768. $$ (type $ MCZ)— “CUBA. 
Soledad”. The following label data were not mentioned in the description: 
collected by Geo. Salt, March 28, 1925, at Spodeas purpurea. 
Eumenes confusus var. pinetorum Bequaert & Salt, 1931: 771. $$ (type $ 
CMP)— “Nueva Gerona, ISLE OF PINES (G. Link)”. NEW STATUS. 
The subspecies in confusum are at least allopatric, but examina- 
tion of the material in the collection of the MCZ confirms that 
these subspecies are not really distinct. The subspecies pinetorum 
was distinguished from the typical form by reduced yellow markings 
on the mesosoma and the metasoma being “ferruginous” red, as 
opposed to orange red. I have examined the holotype of the typical 
form, ten paratypes (these latter specimens were not labelled as 
such, but the locality data correspond to those listed in the original 
description), and the two paratypes of pinetorum mentioned by 
Bequaert and Salt (1931) as deposited in the MCZ (and listed by 
Giordani Soika as deposited in the USNM). I have seen 13 addi- 
tional specimens pinned in the same unit tray as typical confusum , 
